By: Anna Willig, Conservation Data and GIS Specialist

In August, I had the privilege of attending the Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America in Long Beach, CA and giving a presentation. The Ecological Society of America (ESA) was founded in 1915 and today is the largest organization of professional ecologists. The field of ecology, defined by ESA as “the study of relationships between living organisms…and their environment,” is incredibly broad and, consequently, there is an immense diversity of topics at the Annual Meeting. From soil biochemistry to coral genetics to global patterns of migration to community-led restoration projects, the Annual Meeting has it all. Attendees at the conference come from around the world and are at all stages in their careers. Some are undergraduates, attending for the first time, some proudly list on their name cards that they are a 50-year member of ESA. 

Many attendees are from the academic world, with most of their research geared towards publication. Here at Willistown Conservation Trust, our research looks a bit different, and this difference was the topic of my talk, which was entitled “Research as Outreach: A Nonprofit Approach to Engaging Communities on Water Quality.” This talk was based on the work of our Watershed Protection Program. While we conduct robust research, we are not focusing on publishing in academic journals. Instead, our focus is on translating our research for our community. We want to collect data, analyze our data, and share what we find with everyone else, with the ultimate goal of encouraging everyone to become better stewards of our waterways. 

At first, attending the Annual Meeting from outside the world of academia was intimidating. Here were all these PhD students, Post-Doctoral researchers, and tenured professors from major academic institutions, and I was just a little employee from a small land trust on the other side of the country. However, in listening to presentations and talking with other attendees, I realized that we at Willistown Conservation Trust are just as important to the community of ecologists. While many other researchers study and identify problems, we do that and work to fix them. Moreover, we work to bring our science to our community. Through all of our programming – farm-to-table dinners, bird banding, stream walks, volunteer days, and more – we connect people to the landscape and encourage them to do their part to protect and restore the natural world. 

Being part of a large conference like the Annual Meeting, with thousands of people all interested in learning about the world around us, is an inspiring experience. There is so much we still have to learn about our incredible planet, and it is heartening to be amidst a group of people dedicated to unraveling these mysteries and committed to building a better future.

By: Aaron Coolman, Motus Technical Coordinator and Avian Ecologist

This past summer, I embarked on a remarkable journey to unravel the mysteries of one of North America’s most elusive bird species—the Northern Saw-whet Owl. My travels took me from the dense boreal forests of Nova Scotia, Canada, to the wild shores of Lake Superior, Michigan. In partnership with renowned researchers, I set out to capture and tag these tiny owls with cutting-edge Motus transmitters to unlock new insights into this secretive bird’s migration and breeding behaviors.

Armed with Motus technology, which allows us to track wildlife movements in unprecedented detail, we hope to shed light on where Northern Saw-whet Owls travel after breeding, how they navigate vast landscapes, and the hidden corridors they follow as they move across North America. What we discover may change how we understand these charismatic birds—and it’s all part of WCT’s commitment to advancing conservation science.

My first stop was Nova Scotia, where I teamed up with Randy Lauff in the town of Antigonish. Just outside of town lies Archibald Lake, a freshwater lake recently designated a Provincial Wilderness Area. Spanning 684 hectares, this protected land is home to old-growth forests, wetlands, and critical habitat for moose, Brook Trout, Atlantic Salmon, and a diversity of breeding songbirds, including the Canada Warbler and Evening Grosbeak. Among these thriving species is the Northern Saw-whet Owl, which nests in the dense stands of Black Spruce, Balsam Fir, and Eastern Hemlock that blanket the region.

For more than 20 years, Randy has maintained a network of nest boxes for saw-whets in eastern Nova Scotia. When I heard that he was recording his most successful breeding season yet, I asked if he was interested in deploying Motus tags on the adult females tending their nests. He enthusiastically agreed, and I was on my way to Canada within days.

The process of capturing and tagging the owls was quick. The female owls were found sitting faithfully inside their nest boxes, incubating their eggs. After carefully weighing, measuring, and banding each owl, I attached the Motus tags, which are lightweight and harmless to the birds. Within 30 minutes, each owl was released back into her nest box, resuming her incubation duties. These were the first Motus-tagged Northern Saw-whet Owls in eastern North America known to be actively breeding—a milestone for our research!

Only a few days after returning from Nova Scotia, I was off again—this time to Lake Superior, Michigan. Here, owl banders Chris Neri and Nova Mackentley have uncovered a previously unknown breeding population of Northern Saw-whet Owls. Since the mid-2010s, they have banded over 200 juvenile saw-whets every summer, from July through mid-August. This discovery is especially significant because saw-whets were not previously known to breed in such numbers in the lower 48 states, particularly at this low elevation. Most breeding activity in the U.S. occurs in high-altitude regions like the Rocky Mountains or the cloud forests of New Mexico and Arizona.

With the help of Chris and Nova, we successfully deployed 22 Motus tags on adult and juvenile owls. If you take a close look at juvenile saw-whets, you’ll notice that their plumage is quite different from the adults. Juveniles sport dark chocolate feathers on their heads and backs, while their bodies are rich golden-brown, resembling freshly baked cookies. Remarkably, within 12–16 weeks, they’ll molt these feathers and take on the appearance of an adult owl—a stunning transformation that’s like a tiny owl magic trick!

By tagging both adult and juvenile saw-whets, we aim to answer important questions about their post-breeding behavior. Where do they go after the breeding season? When do they leave their nesting areas? Will they return to the same locations next year? And where will they spend the winter months? The Motus Wildlife Tracking System offers us an unprecedented opportunity to gather this data, and WCT is proud to be leading the charge in this vital area of migration science. Be sure to follow along by keeping up with our owls at Project #753 on motus.org!

While my research has taken me deep into northern forests, you don’t have to travel far to encounter the magic of the Northern Saw-whet Owl. In fact, these migratory owls visit our very own backyards in Willistown! Every winter, saw-whets find shelter in the dense hedgerows, riparian corridors, forest pockets, and native shrub gardens scattered throughout the region. WCT has been actively involved in monitoring saw-whet owl migration since 2012, banding these charming little owls at Rushton Farm as part of Project Owlnet. This research forms the basis of my Master’s of Science thesis at the University of Delaware, with significant support from Project Owlnet, who generously provided funding for the Motus tags used on these trips. With your help and support, we are uncovering the hidden lives of Northern Saw-whet Owls- illuminating previously unknown parts of their lives.

This research is being conducted as the basis for my Master’s of Science thesis, where I am enrolled at the University of Delaware. Significant support comes from Project Owlnet, who has gracefully provided me with funding to purchase research materials, such as the Motus tags used on this trip.

Chimney Swifts (Chaetura pelagica) are fascinating small birds with a cigar-shaped body and long narrow wings, known for their distinctive agile flight and unique nesting habits. Historically, these birds nested in hollow trees, but as human development progressed, they adapted to using chimneys and are now dependent on man-made structures. Unfortunately, modern building designs and habitat loss have significantly reduced Chimney Swift populations with their current conservation status listed as near threatened. Within the past 20 years, there has been a movement to cap chimneys or line them with metal, thus preventing access for the swifts. Additionally, old buildings with suitable chimneys are increasingly demolished or sealed, further reducing available nesting sites. Climate change further complicates their survival by altering insect populations, their primary food source, and increasing extreme weather events that can destroy nesting sites.

To counteract these challenges, building and installing Chimney Swift nest boxes, or towers, is essential for conserving this species. These nest boxes provide safe, suitable nesting and roosting sites. These towers should be at least 12 to 15 feet tall with a minimum width and depth of 14 inches on each side, using durable materials like treated wood or concrete to ensure longevity. The interior should have a rough surface to help swifts grip and build their nests. Ideal locations include backyards, parks, schoolyards, and other community spaces.

Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), is working with conservation partners to build Chimney Swift towers and are working on a documentary to educate landowners about how these can fit into their landscape. PGC Education Specialist and filmographer, Tracy Gaziano, is gathering this information and working with partners such as WCT to help conserve this declining species. WCT now has four towers, all of which have had successful breeding pairs year after year since their installation. Terry Decker from Oak Tree Landscaping built the three original towers starting in 2018 (figure 1), and Sean Hetzel, a local Eagle Scout, recently added a modern tower (figure 2). Terry donated his time and bucket truck this summer to provide a bird’s eye view to the nests so Tracy could get great photos and video of their nests.

Although building a Chimney Swift tower appears to be a daunting task, there are many resources on-line to provide the plans and methods. PGC is building towers in desirable locations, but local builders could follow the nest box plans. The tower must be secured to a foundation, ensuring it is stable and upright, while regular inspections are recommended before the breeding season to ensure it is in good condition and free from debris. It is also essential to monitor the tower during the breeding season to assess the nest box’s success. Nest boxes offer a predator-free environment, help mitigate habitat loss, and contribute to the conservation of Chimney Swifts. They also provide educational opportunities, raising awareness about these birds and their conservation among local communities. Resources for building Chimney Swift nest boxes include the Chimney Swift Conservation Association and Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Tracy Gaziano with The Pennsylvania Game Commission and Terry Decker with Oak Tree Landscaping working together to collect footage of the nestlings.

By building and installing Chimney Swift nest boxes, we can play a crucial role in protecting and supporting these unique birds, ensuring they continue to grace our skies for generations to come.

On May 15, 2024 the Cornell Lab of Ornithology awarded Willistown Conservation Trust (WCT) $25,000 through the Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative. This grant marks the second subsequent round of funding from Cornell Lab in support of the project, Finding Common Ground to Reverse the Decline of Grassland Birds Across a Working Landscape. This year-long project will be conducted between May 22, 2024 and May 21, 2025 in an effort to enroll at least 1,500 acres of privately held lands in delayed-mow management and monitor those fields to measure productivity, among other important objectives.

Grassland Birds are experiencing the largest land bird declines of any habitat group.
Scientists estimate populations of many bird species are just half of what they were in 1970. Two-thirds of grassland birds have experienced population declines, and one-quarter of these species, including the beloved Bobolink, are Tipping Point Species. From 1970 to 2019, Tipping Point species have experienced population losses of 50%, and, in the next 50 years, they are on track to lose another 50%.

The good news is losses of these birds can be reversed. Locally, we can help these birds before they are endangered through voluntary cooperation powered by partnerships among landowners, farmers, and conservation organizations. In 2022 WCT launched the Grassland Bird Collaboration (GBC) to establish official partnerships and utilize years of grassland bird research to inform best practices in the field to support bird populations. 

Our goal is to create a grassland bird conservation area made up of working landscapes and existing nature preserves in southern Chester County’s preservation greenbelt. These lands will serve as a focal area for conservation efforts where partners work together to address the issues affecting declining grassland species while appreciating and promoting the economic and aesthetic values of the agricultural lands in the conservation area.

In addition to enrolling privately held lands into delayed mow-management, this project will focus on collaborating with other enrolled properties to host grassland bird walks, professionally monitor and record collected data for further research, observe the mutual benefits of the avian-agricultural system and extend sustainable farming practice resources to farmers and landowners to expand “bird-friendly” practices in the program area. For additional information about the Grassland Bird Collaboration please contact Lisa Kiziuk (lkr@wctrust.org) or Zoe Warner (zmw@wctrust.org) or visit https://wctrust.org/the-grassland-bird-collaboration/.